Uproar over witchcraft

THE community of Roadhouse in Malamulele, Limpopo, has caused a stir by firing local civic leaders after they refused to deal with witchcraft matters.

Civic association chairman Thomas Bila, who was booed by the mob when he announced their stance, was immediately removed from chairing the meeting and replaced by the local Thulamela municipality ward councillor James Mahlawule.

The meeting, which was also attended by the police from Malamulele police station, was to report on the community's demand that a Mozambican woman they accused of witchcraft be expelled from the area.

Bila said they had asked the chief to address the gathering but he (chief) said he could only do so on Saturday. This was rejected by the villagers.

"If the civic is not telling us that the witches are going, they must go," a villager said.

Sowetan understands that the witchcraft accusations follows claims that a woman took some soil from a graveyard on the day a woman who was her neighbour was buried.

She is said to have said that, according to her belief, each time she gets inside a cemetery she must take some soil.

zaco: My meaning is obvious. I never referred to Christianity and that would have been absurd in the context, so please, let's not play language games here. My English is just fine. I was very clearly referring to those who believe in withcraft. I can't be much more explicit than being so absolutely clear.

The South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA) condemns the reported accusations of witchcraft in Limpopo by member of the community. It remains illegal to make any accusation of witchcraft against any person. This Alliance calls on the SAPS to immediately arrest and charge members of said community in order to prevent these baseless accusations from leading to violence.

SAPRA calls on local and provincial authorities to intervene without delay and to publicly condemn accusations of witchcraft and witch-hunts in Limpopo.

We call on all South Africans to support 30 days of advocacy against witch-hunts (29 March to 27 April) - http://www.paganrightsalliance.org/30_days.html